Elastic-fluid turbine.



R. F. HALLIWELL. ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLIUATION FILED Nov, z5. 1'907,

Patented- July 5, 1910.

Wltnesses.

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I.HALLIWE'LL BLASTIG FLUID TURBINB.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25

Patend July 5, 1910.

R. P. HALLIWBLL.

ELASTICI FLUID TURBINB.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 190?.

968,142., Ptenped July 5, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3. T

'REGINLF FRANCIS HALLIWELL. OF RUGBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTR COMPANY, A CORPORATION F NEW YORK.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

Speeication of Letters Patent.

Applcapcn filed November 25, 19W. Serial No. 403,637.

TocZZ whom it 'may concern:

`Be it known that I, Resumen FRANCIS inwind-mf., a subject of the King of Great Britain. residing at 3 6 Newbold road, Rugby, in the county of Tf'arwich, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lilastic--lfduid Turbines, of which 'the following is a sliecifcation.

The present invention relates to improve? ments in multi-stage elastic fluidV turbmes Yor the type in which the motive fluid flows through parts oi" the turbine in opposite div'rect-ions (for thepurpos of balancing the end thrust. v

The obg'ect of my 1nvent1on 1s to prov1de an improved elastic fluid turbine having a i casing provided with ports and passages for conducting the motive fluid in the required directions for the purpose of balancing the end thrust, andalso permittingofthe convenient splitting 'up ofthe low pressure stage into sections so as to obviate the use of abnormally long Ibuckets in turbines of large power.

A further object ofthe invention is to permit of. the high temperature steam bein `kept as far as possible from the, bearings an A also to do away with the necessityr for high pressure vshaft packings.

'rst two stages in one I term' an annular collection chamber' with inthe casin then by meansnof conduitsparallel to tli .intermediate annular chamber', ,and thence In carrying out my invention, the motive fluid. is preferably admitted to the turbine nozzles at the center of the machine and from below, whence it asses through the irection into l'what e shaft into what l term an through the third or intermediate pressure sta e and the fourth or low pressure stage .in t 1e opposite direction to the flow through lect-ionv chamber communicating with a simithe -first two stages. fn the case of a tive 'stage turbineaftehdeaving the fourth, or

what is then theintermodiatepressure stage', the luidenters what I -term an annular eollar chamber at the other end of the turbine lhy means of longitudinal conduits, and froml lthese two .chambers the duid passesl ,through the' two Wheels of the 4low pressure stage in multiple with. respect to' the source of. sup-v ply, whichlarheels are arranged oieat each and ofthe turbine. By disposing the' low 'pressure' two portions the buckets tal turbine taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 2; Fig.

2 is a cross-section on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a liveA stage turbine taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4:; and Fig. f1 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings the outer shell or casing 1 comprises two approximately semi-cylindrical portions 2 and 3 which whenvasscmbled constitute the turbine body. This casing is provided at its 'center with nozzle passagese forming a steam inlet and a central double walled diaphragm 5 which is adapted to carry a packing 6 for the turbine shaft, and on each side of the central diaphragm flut'ings 7 are provided on the internal face of the casing for securing the stationary bucket segment-s 8 and also double walled or hollow diaphragms 9 arranged between the rst and second and second and Ythird stage bucket wheels respectively. rWithin the central double walled diaphravm 5 an intermediate steam chamber 10 is owned, whichywhen the two halves of the casing are assembled, extends as far around the turbine-body as the steam inlet will allow as shown in Fig. 2. This chamber is not in direct communication with the steam inlet, but by means of longitudinal passages or conduits 11 formed in both halves of the casing it communicates .with the annular` collection chamber 12 formed in the right hand end cover. 13.0f the turbine. Thlsend cover comprises a castingv formed with the annular steam chamber 12ftherein and also with dished parts 14 'to accommodateshaft surrounding the turbine shaft.. The diaphragm 9 between the first and second stages is double walled and in cross section increases in Width toward its periph'- lery. The lutings in' the eriphery .of this diaphra m together with ternaly ace of themain casing, form' an equalizing steam chamber 16 into which the steam from the first stage passes where it is equalized and distributed for" doing work in the second stage. n l The third and fourth stages are located on @atenten July 5., icio...

packings l5 utings 1n the inthe opposite side of the middle or m fin diahragm and are separated by a Ildoublewalled diaphragm 9 similar to that between the rst and second stages and ylikewise forming, together with the main c'rsing, an annular equalizing steam chamber 17 through which the steam passes on its way to the fourth stage. An endA cover 18 is also provided for this end of the turbine having a steam passage 19 communicating with the 'exhaust conduit 2O leading to a condenser i and through the fourth stage to the condenser or other exhaust 20.

In order to guide and direct the steam leaving the wheels and also to form parts of the chambers, rings 33 are provided which have properly shaped vanes or blades 34 separated by/ passages through which the.

steam passes. These vanes alsov prevent the steam from reacting on the wheels.

The two halves of the casing may he bolted or otherwise Secured together and for that purpose the castings are provided with longitudinal and semi-circular flanges; the latter for securing the end covers. construction the turbine shaft is journaled in suitable hearings 22 located outside the turbine body.`

.ln a modified construction Figs. 3 and 4 such as may be used for a vfive stage turbine the main body casing 1 is provided with four or more sets ot two steam passages 23 and 24 respectively separated by a wall 25 these passages being parallel with each other and the turbine shaft. 'lhe shorter passage 23 ot' the groups communicates with the intermediate steam chamber 2G partially surrounding the main diaphragm 2T and with an annular collection chamber 28 formed by tlutings in the body casing aiul diaphragm separating the second and the oney portion of the vtiilth stage. 'lhc steam from the fourth stage passes into thecollection chamber 2) then divides, one portion passing di-V rectly through the adjacent wheel of the tiith stage. while the other portion of the lluid 'flows through the longer longitudinal passages 24v tothe other end of the turbine into an annular chamber 30 formed in the main casing from which it passes through the other wheel of the fifth stage. The fluid from both sections et the nal stage passes intopassages or ducts 31 formed in the end .In thiscovers leading to the condenser or other exhausts 32. Both end covers in this modication are constructed with passages leading the steam from the respective halves of the low pressure stage to the condenser or other exhaust and alsowith means as already described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, for accommodating shaft packing about the turbine shaft. f

Obviously the number of stages employed may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. For an increase in the number of stages there will be a modification of the main body portion to allow a.

corresponding increase in the number of annular chambers formed in conjunction with the diaphragm.

The initial and stage nozzles convert the pressure of the motive tiuid into velofe'ity and discharge the same at the proper angle against the wheel buckets. These nozzles `an be arranged to have the same or differentv pressure drops and the stages-may perform equal or unequal amounts of work.

From the foregoing' it will be seen thaty the turbine can be balanced as to endthrust There are no steam or' whatever its cause.

exhaust connections tobe broken when it becomes desirable or necessary to takev down the turbine, and this is animportant feature because it saves much time and labor. By

` admitting steam to the turbine from the under side, the use'of overhead pipingris obviated, and the appearance of the machinev improved. Since the high pressure stage is in the middle of the turbine it followsthat the leakage therefrom cannot escape to atmosphere but must pass to the other stages where it will do useful work. 'lhe parkings at the endsiof the shaft where it. passes through the casing pack against low pressure ditlerences and yhence arev more easily maintained in effective condition.

ln accordance with the provisions of thel patent statutes. l have' described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which 'I now consider to represent the bestv embodiment thereof; but I desire' to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the inventiony can be carried out by other means. y .i

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters `Patent ofA the United States, is,-

l. ln an elastic-'fluid turbine, the combination ot a casing, a plurality of diaphragms dividing the. casing into neompartments, bucket wheels in. the compartments some of which, receive motive Huid from one direc- `tion and the remainder-.from the opposite direction, nozzles converting the pressure of' the motive fluid into' velocity fand, located midway df the casing and initially admit-4 ting it to thevturbine, and acohduit that receives the exhaust from certain of the wheels and conveys it past said devices and in a direction contra to the flow therefrom anddischarges it to the remaining stages, the `.said 'stages serially receivingv motive fluid.

2. In an elasticffluid turbine, the combination of a casing,v wheel buckets therein arranged to abstract the Ivelocity of the motive fluid by successive stages, the'motive fluid passing through the stages in series, devices arranged midway of the ends of the casing which initially admit fluid at high velocity to the machine,- other duid-discharging devices between the stageswhich convert prespassagefor said high-pressure supply, wheel buckets, diaphragms lbetween the stages, means arranged 1n the diaphragms adiacent `their peripheries for directing the flow of- 'luid from one stageto the next, a collection chamber-receiving the exhaust from certain of the buckets, passages conveying the tiuid from the collection chamber past the buckets on which it has acted to the intermediate chamber, and devices receiving fluid from the intermediate chamber and discharging it against the wheels on one' side of-the main diaphragm. l'

4. In an elastic Huid turbine, the combination of a casing, fluid-discharging devices, a centrally located diaphragm, bucket wheels arranged in sets on opposite sides thereof,V

other diaphragme between the wheels, equalizing chambers formed between the periphf ery of each 4of said diaphragms and the casing through ,which fluid flows from one stage to the next` and a conduit that receives the fluid exhausting' from the set of wheels on oneI side of themain diaphragm :and con- Veys it lpast 'the wheels it has acted on and also the interposed diaphragme and discharges it against the set of wheel buckets on the other side of the mam dialihragm.

5. In an elastic-iluid turbine, the combina! tion of a casing divided auxiliary into two principal parts, a centrally located diaphragm that is cast integral with the casing and is provided with passages, other diaphragme on opposite sides thereof which are independent of the casing, bucket Wheels, nozzles receiving high-pressure fluid from the passages in the' main diaphragm, a collection chamber that receives the exhaust side of the high-pressure stage and the other on the opposite, and means for conveying motive fluid in multiple to theportions lof the low-pressure stage after it has passed through the intermediate pressure stage.`

7. In an elastic-fluid turbine, the combinatio'nof a casing, a high-pressure stage located midway between the ends thereof, an intermediate pressure stage located on one side thereof, 'a 'second intermediate stageof lower pressure than therst and receiving fluid therefrom and located on the opposite side of the high pressure stage, and a divided low-pressure stage, the wheels of which receive motive fluid'in multiple.

8. In an 'elastic-Huid turbine, the combination of a casing, a high-pressure stage located centrally of the casing, intermediate pressure stages located on opposite sides thereof, diaphragme between the stages, alud a divided low-pressure stage, one part of which is-located at one end of the machine and the other at the opposite, and means .for supplying motive fl'uid to the parts of the low-pressure stage in multiple.

9. In an elastic-fluid turbine, the combination of a casing, a high-pressure stage located midway between thc ends, stages of lower pressure located on opposite sides of the high-pressure stage and receiving motive iiui'd therefrom in series, the fluid acting first'on one side and then on the other of said stage, and a divided low-prcssure stage one part of which isvloca'ted at one end of the casing and the other at the opposite, the said .parts receiving motive iuid 1n multiple.

10'. In an elastic fluid turbine, the combination of a casing, a highressure stage located mid-way the ends tiereof, a diaphragm separating the high-pressure stage from the next stage, an equalizin chamber formed between the rim of the iaphragm and the casing that recei ves the exhaust from -thc high-pressure stage, a stage located at one side of the high-pressure stage and receiving fluid from said chamber, a collection chamber', an intermediate chamber receiving tlu'id therefrom, a. stage located on the opposite side of the high-pressure stage and receivingluid from the intermediate cham- IIO ber, a diaphragm between said, stage and the next, an equalising chamber formed between the rim of said diaphragm and the casing, a stage receiving fluid therefrom, and an exhaust conduit.

ll. In an elastic-fluid turbine, the combination of a casing, a main diaphragm that divides the casing and is provided with an intermediate chamber which substantially surrounds it and also with inlet passages leading to the high-pressure nozzles, the said chamber containing motive Huid at an intermediate pressure, other diaphragms vwhich coperat'e with the easing to form equalizing chambers, an end head for the casing having 'a collection ehamber,bucket wheels for the compartments, admission and stage nozzles for supplying motive fluid to the buckets, and a conduit which connect-s the collection and intermediate chambers.

12.111 an elastic-Huid turbine, the combination of stages wherein the fluid flows axially in one direction, a collection chamber receiving the Huid, an intermediate chamber eonuuunicating therewith, stages receivin fiuid from the intermediate chamber an through which the fluid flows in the opposite direction to that in the first-mentioned stages, a. pair of collection chambers which receive motive fluid in multiple from thel last-mentioned stages, and a divided low- Y pressure stage through the parts of which the fluid flows in opposite directions from 4the said pair of chambers.

18. In a steam turbine,'the combination of a casing; a centrally located main .diaphragm in said easing which is provided with live steam inlet passages in its lower portion leading to high pressure nozzles at one side of the diaphragm, andvis also provided with a steam chamber in the other portion thereof that supplies steam to intermediate nozzles at the opposite side of the diaphragm, a hi h pressure stage on 'one side of the main diaphragm receiving steam through said high pressure nozzles, an intermediate stage beyond the high pressure stage on the same side of said diaphragm and through which the steam Hows in the same direction, other intermediate or lower pressure stages arranged on. the opposite side of the main diaphra m through which steam from said interme iate'nozzles flows in a direction opposite to that. of the flow through said high and intermediate stages, and 4means conveying steam discharged from the iirst mentioned intermediate stage to said chamber.

In witness whereof, I have 'hereunto set my hand this seventh day of November, 1907.

REGINALD FRANCIS HALLIWELL.

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. FULLER, J. A. Fosrna 

